Bohemian Trio brought a world of sounds to the Patil Theater on Friday night, as the group performed a series of varied and eclectic pieces with its unique instrumental combination – made up of saxophonist Yosvany Terry, pianist Orlando Alonso and cellist Yves Dharamraj. Their first set consisted mainly of pieces written for the trio by close friends and associates, an arrangement that works well for them due to their unusual configuration. Pieces such as the tender, contemplative “Impromptu No. 1 for Gershwin,” composed by Cuban pianist Manuel Valera, contrasted well with Alexis Cuadrado’s “Trivium,” a hauntingly lively number that reflects the composer’s homeland of Barcelona.
The second half of the show featured Terry’s own works, including the lively “Tarde en la Lisa,” a tribute to the working-class neighborhood in Havana where he lived. Its complex melodies and harmonies (particularly Alonso’s piano work) created a portrait of what Terry called a “dynamic” community. They closed with “Okonkolo,” the title track from their latest album, named after the smallest member of the Batá family of drums originating from Nigeria. Beginning with an extended percussion intro, with vocalizations led by Terry, the trio launched into a vigorous section reflecting Terry’s trademark Afro-Cuban style, venturing into territory both melodic and dissonant.
On Friday night, the Harker Speaker Series hosted a special evening with legendary composer David Amram. During his nearly 70-year career, Amram has collaborated with many of the 20th century’s most influential cultural figures, including Jack Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Hunter S. Thompson and Leonard Bernstein.
The event began with a scintillating performance by the upper school jazz band, which was joined by Amram on flute and percussion, demonstrating that his skills as a soloist remain sharp. He then sat down with Harker English teacher Charles Shuttleworth for a live interview, during which Amram shared his incredible life story, beginning with his interest in classical music, which he discovered at age 11. He later became enamored with jazz, gospel and folk music from around the world. Amram described much of his life as “serendipity,” having been repeatedly blessed to be put in contact with (and subsequently work with) top musicians. After serving in the military, he was introduced to jazz bassist Charles Mingus, with whom he began playing while studying at the Manhattan School of Music. He later met Thelonious Monk, who complimented Amram on his French horn playing. “I almost fainted,” Amram recalled.
After concluding the interview, Amram joined the Harker upper school orchestra to perform Franz Schubert’s haunting “Unfinished Symphony,” as well as an original work he wrote as a tribute to Afro-Cuban percussionist and composer Chano Pozo during a 1977 cultural exchange trip to Cuba. Titled “En Memoria de Chano Pozo,” the piece incorporates audience participation, and the audience happily clapped along toward the finale. Following the event, Amram participated in an audience Q&A session before signing copies of his books in the lobby for the appreciative attendees.
Attendees at Friday night’s Harker Concert Series season opener got an earful, as Laila Biali brought no shortage of energy and emotion, performing a wide selection of original songs and arrangements of several of her favorite songs, all driven by her powerful vocals and accomplished piano work.
Biali had a story for each of the songs she performed with her trio – drummer Mike Quigg, bassist Josh Thurston-Milgrom and trumpeter (and upper school music teacher) Dave Hart – which worked in her favor, as her ability to tell stories made each tune feel a little more special, as though she was sharing the songs with the audience, and not just playing for them.
The opening two songs, both inspired by her experiences living in New York City, were also two of the evening’s highlights. “We Go” celebrates the city’s famous nightlife with an up-tempo, shoulder-moving urgency that provides the perfect backing for Biali’s impressive vocal talents and skyscraper-climbing range. Meanwhile, “Got to Love” is a fast moving paean to the borough of Brooklyn as it undergoes and attempts to beat back the gentrification that has swept over the area in the last decade.
Biali also has a keen ear for covers and how to arrange them to suit her strengths without sacrificing the power of the source material. This rare talent was most apparent on her rendition of K.D. Lang’s “Simple,” featuring a delicate vocal over a shimmering piano, effortlessly bringing out the aching joy in Lang’s lyrics. Meanwhile, concert closer and David Bowie hit “Let’s Dance” retained the no-nonsense beat of the original while incorporating Biali’s jazzy sensibilities and putting her smoky, bluesy vocals in place of Bowie’s throaty theatrics.
Biali’s trio turned in stellar work throughout the evening, particularly impressive as Biali noted that they had been playing much of this music for the first time. Although Biali was the star of the night, Quigg, Thurston-Milgrom and Hart each left their mark with stand-out solos and tight interplay.
Attendees at Friday night’s Harker Concert Series season opener got an earful, as Laila Biali brought no shortage of energy and emotion, performing a wide selection of original songs and arrangements of several of her favorite songs, all driven by her powerful vocals and accomplished piano work.
Biali had a story for each of the songs she performed with her trio – drummer Mike Quigg, bassist Josh Thurston-Milgrom and trumpeter (and upper school music teacher) Dave Hart – which worked in her favor, as her ability to tell stories made each tune feel a little more special, as though she was sharing the songs with the audience, and not just playing for them.
The opening two songs, both inspired by her experiences living in New York City, were also two of the evening’s highlights. “We Go” celebrates the city’s famous nightlife with an up-tempo, shoulder-moving urgency that provides the perfect backing for Biali’s impressive vocal talents and skyscraper-climbing range. Meanwhile, “Got to Love” is a fast moving paean to the borough of Brooklyn as it undergoes and attempts to beat back the gentrification that has swept over the area in the last decade.
Biali also has a keen ear for covers and how to arrange them to suit her strengths without sacrificing the power of the source material. This rare talent was most apparent on her rendition of K.D. Lang’s “Simple,” featuring a delicate vocal over a shimmering piano, effortlessly bringing out the aching joy in Lang’s lyrics. Meanwhile, concert closer and David Bowie hit “Let’s Dance” retained the no-nonsense beat of the original while incorporating Biali’s jazzy sensibilities and putting her smoky, bluesy vocals in place of Bowie’s throaty theatrics.
Biali’s trio turned in stellar work throughout the evening, particularly impressive as Biali noted that they had been playing much of this music for the first time. Although Biali was the star of the night, Quigg, Thurston-Milgrom and Hart each left their mark with stand-out solos and tight interplay.
Attendees at Friday night’s Harker Concert Series season opener got an earful, as Laila Biali brought no shortage of energy and emotion, performing a wide selection of original songs and arrangements of several of her favorite songs, all driven by her powerful vocals and accomplished piano work.
Biali had a story for each of the songs she performed with her trio – drummer Mike Quigg, bassist Josh Thurston-Milgrom and trumpeter (and upper school music teacher) Dave Hart – which worked in her favor, as her ability to tell stories made each tune feel a little more special, as though she was sharing the songs with the audience, and not just playing for them.
The opening two songs, both inspired by her experiences living in New York City, were also two of the evening’s highlights. “We Go” celebrates the city’s famous nightlife with an up-tempo, shoulder-moving urgency that provides the perfect backing for Biali’s impressive vocal talents and skyscraper-climbing range. Meanwhile, “Got to Love” is a fast moving paean to the borough of Brooklyn as it undergoes and attempts to beat back the gentrification that has swept over the area in the last decade.
Biali also has a keen ear for covers and how to arrange them to suit her strengths without sacrificing the power of the source material. This rare talent was most apparent on her rendition of K.D. Lang’s “Simple,” featuring a delicate vocal over a shimmering piano, effortlessly bringing out the aching joy in Lang’s lyrics. Meanwhile, concert closer and David Bowie hit “Let’s Dance” retained the no-nonsense beat of the original while incorporating Biali’s jazzy sensibilities and putting her smoky, bluesy vocals in place of Bowie’s throaty theatrics.
Biali’s trio turned in stellar work throughout the evening, particularly impressive as Biali noted that they had been playing much of this music for the first time. Although Biali was the star of the night, Quigg, Thurston-Milgrom and Hart each left their mark with stand-out solos and tight interplay.
On Nov. 8, the Harker Speaker Series will host “An Evening With David Amram,” one of America’s most treasured composers and conductors. A professional musician for nearly 70 years – starting out in 1951 as a French hornist in Washington, D.C.’s National Symphony Orchestra – Amram has performed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus, and composed the scores for the classic American films “Splendor in the Grass” and “Manchurian Candidate.”
Amram’s career throughout the 20th century led him to collaborations with influential figures including beat writer Jack Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Betty Carter, Tito Puente, Hunter S. Thompson and Leonard Bernstein, who in 1966 appointed Amram the New York Philharmonic’s first composer in residence. Several of Amram’s compositions – including 2007’s “This Land, Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie” and 2002’s “Giants of the Night” – have become some of the mostly widely performed pieces in contemporary music.
“An Evening With David Amram” will include an interview with Amram conducted by upper school English teacher Charles Shuttleworth, a sit-in performance with Harker instrumental groups and an audience Q&A session. Amram’s famous wit, talent for storytelling and perspectives on the current music industry are sure to make this an event not to be missed!
On Nov. 8, the Harker Speaker Series will host “An Evening With David Amram,” one of America’s most treasured composers and conductors. A professional musician for nearly 70 years – starting out in 1951 as a French hornist in Washington, D.C.’s National Symphony Orchestra – Amram has performed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus, and composed the scores for the classic American films “Splendor in the Grass” and “Manchurian Candidate.”
Amram’s career throughout the 20th century led him to collaborations with influential figures including beat writer Jack Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Betty Carter, Tito Puente, Hunter S. Thompson and Leonard Bernstein, who in 1966 appointed Amram the New York Philharmonic’s first composer in residence. Several of Amram’s compositions – including 2007’s “This Land, Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie” and 2002’s “Giants of the Night” – have become some of the mostly widely performed pieces in contemporary music.
“An Evening With David Amram” will include an interview with Amram conducted by upper school English teacher Charles Shuttleworth, a sit-in performance with Harker instrumental groups and an audience Q&A session. Amram’s famous wit, talent for storytelling and perspectives on the current music industry are sure to make this an event not to be missed!
On Nov. 8, the Harker Speaker Series will host “An Evening With David Amram,” one of America’s most treasured composers and conductors. A professional musician for nearly 70 years – starting out in 1951 as a French hornist in Washington, D.C.’s National Symphony Orchestra – Amram has performed with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Charles Mingus, and composed the scores for the classic American films “Splendor in the Grass” and “Manchurian Candidate.”
Amram’s career throughout the 20th century led him to collaborations with influential figures including beat writer Jack Kerouac, Bob Dylan, Betty Carter, Tito Puente, Hunter S. Thompson and Leonard Bernstein, who in 1966 appointed Amram the New York Philharmonic’s first composer in residence. Several of Amram’s compositions – including 2007’s “This Land, Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie” and 2002’s “Giants of the Night” – have become some of the mostly widely performed pieces in contemporary music.
“An Evening With David Amram” will include an interview with Amram conducted by upper school English teacher Charles Shuttleworth, a sit-in performance with Harker instrumental groups and an audience Q&A session. Amram’s famous wit, talent for storytelling and perspectives on the current music industry are sure to make this an event not to be missed!
The Class of 2019’s final hours as Harker students were memorable ones, as Thursday’s graduation ceremony brought together families, friends and faculty to celebrate a major milestone in the seniors’ lives.
Cheers went up from the crowd at the Mountain Winery as the seniors arrived to take their seats during the processional to the familiar swell of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the Harker Chamber Orchestra.
Following a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the 2019 Graduation Chorus and a welcome message from Upper Division Head Butch Keller, Kaushik Shivakumar ’19 took the podium to deliver the valedictorian speech to his fellow graduates. Shivakumar implored his classmates to use the intellectual curiosity they gained at Harker. “If there’s one thing we should take away from our high school years, it wouldn’t be what we’ve learned,” he said. “Instead, it would be the desire to learn more, which manifests itself as curiosity. In order to thrive within the world we find ourselves, we have to ask questions. Lots of them. And in particular, we must never ever hesitate to ask the question, ‘Why?'”
Shivakumar’s speech received enthusiastic applause and was followed by another performance from the 2019 Graduation Chorus, this time of “I Shall Pass This Way But Once,” written by conductor Susan Nace with lyrics by Etienne De Grellet.
The Hon. John B. Owens ’85 was this year’s keynote speaker. Owens’ said his memories of Harker have had a profound impact on him, as evidenced by the many teachers he remembered and thanked, including longtime math teacher Pat Walsh and the late beloved history teacher John Near. Owens noted that while many schools offer a good education, Harker set itself apart by also teaching him to be a good member of society. “What Harker taught me at the end of the day are things you don’t really learn in books,” he said. “[Harker] taught me how to be a good citizen.”
The 2019 Graduation Chorus then gave its final performance of the evening, singing “The Harker School Song,” before Head of School Brian Yager gave his farewell address.
Yager gave the audience a brief retelling of the journeys of Richard Henry Dana Jr., who in the 1800s explored the sparsely populated area that would later become known as California. Dana’s portrait of California was very different from the populous state known today, and with growth has come many problems waiting to be solved by the next generation. Like California, he said, Harker has also experienced massive changes in the 125 years since it was founded. “Its journey, like the journey of the state in which we live, has been a remarkable one,” he said. “It has also been one built on hope … the hope that our efforts to educate you will enable you to appreciate the world of yesterday, love the world of tomorrow, and that your fantasy will be to stand in a world 50, 60, 70 – maybe even 125 – years from now that is one you can say with pride and joy that you helped make happen.”
The graduates then received their diplomas one at a time as their loved ones cheered from the stands. Once all members of the class were seated, they symbolically moved their caps’ tassels from the right to the left and cheered loudly as they flung their caps into the air. The ceremony officially ended with the traditional releasing of doves, eliciting shouts of awe as the beautiful birds flew overhead.
On the eve of this year’s graduation exercises, juniors, seniors and senior parents gathered at the upper school quad for the annual baccalaureate ceremony, during which members of the Class of 2020 graciously accepted their responsibility as leaders in the coming 2019-20 school year. The audience was treated to performances by Cantilena and the The Harker String Orchestra before upper school math chair Anthony Silk, chosen by the Class of 2019 as this year’s faculty speaker, took the podium.
Silk shared some of the wisdom he learned from his father, whom he remembered as a voracious reader with a steel trap-like memory. From his father, Silk learned to become an enthusiastic learner, as well as the importance of not choosing a career based on income. He also told the seniors that not knowing what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives was no reason for panic, particularly in a rapidly changing world. “The path that brings you the most happiness may not have even been invented yet,” he said. “You may have to be the one to invent it.”
Upper Division Head Butch Keller introduced senior Haris Hosseini, this year’s student farewell speaker, whose humor-laced speech elicited many laughs from his peers. Hosseini recalled being named this year’s speaker three weeks prior. “So as I began writing it on the bus ride back from Laguna yesterday,” he quipped, “I was having a little bit of trouble. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to say.” He then related a story about how faced an immense fear looming over him as his senior year approached: how to secure 1.5 required PE credits in one year. The experience was valuable to him, as it gave him “a lot of time to reflect on my senior year here at Harker and what it meant to me,” which afforded a newfound appreciation for his time at the school.